Inquest for nine year old Midlands girl

The inquest into the death of a nine year old from the Black Country who was killed by her mum's boyfriend has recorded a verdict of unlawful killing.

Stacey Lawrence's body was found on August 29 in the cab of a white Spar lorry parked in a lay-by in Warmington in Northampton.

She had been on a delivery run with her mother's fiance Darren Walker, 40, whose body was found hanging from a tree in nearby woodland.

After the bodies were discovered police said Stacey had been sexually assaulted before she died.

The inquest into the death of the nine year old from West Bromwich is being held at Kettering Magistrates Court.

The inquest into the death of Walker last week at the same court heard the lorry driver previously told Stacey's mother Roxanne Lawrence if he ever did anything that would result in a prison sentence, he would rather kill himself.

In a statement read to the inquest, Ms Lawrence said she never had any concerns over Walker's relationship with her children.

She said: "I can't believe on that Friday morning Darren left our family home as the man I loved and by Saturday he was the man responsible for my nine-year-old daughter's death.

"I am shocked that the man I was intending to marry could have done this. I hate Darren for what he has done to me and my family."